Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Increasingly Keen on Ben Gibson, Top Rumours

Arsenal have reportedly increased their interest in Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson. The Gunners are said to have scouted the 24-year-old defender earlier in the season and are impressed by his versatility.

A report from Tom Collomosse of the London Evening Standard recently described how Arsenal have kept tabs on Gibson: "Arsenal have stepped up their interest in Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson after making initial checks earlier this month."

Collomosse also noted how Gibson's ability to play more than one position at the back is making him an attractive target for the Gunners: "Arsenal's principal targets are thought to be a left-back and a centre-forward, but Gibson is a left-footer which makes him an attractive option—and he can also operate at full-back."

The report also referenced how the uncertainty about manager Arsene Wenger's future hasn't altered Arsenal's interest in Gibson: "The uncertainty over...Wenger's plans means Arsenal's recruitment strategy is not yet set in stone, but Gibson is certainly one of the names on the club's radar."

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Wenger's contract expires this summer, and with fans regularly critical of his ability to still build a winning team, the Frenchman has never looked more likely to call time on his Gunners tenure.

However, if 67-year-old does stay, he has to make solidifying a suspect defence his main transfer priority this summer. Arsenal need reinforcements for at least two positions along the back line ahead of next season.

Those positions are centre-back and left-back. The latter is typically occupied by savvy veteran Nacho Monreal, yet the Gunners could use more pace and strength than the 31-year-old can offer.

It's a similar story in the middle, where 2016 recruit Shkodran Mustafi has flattered to deceive. The Germany international, signed from Valencia for over £35 million last summer, has been exposed recently.

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His lack of quickness and strength in the air have cost the Gunners several times. What Arsenal's back line needs is a physically dominant centre-half who can do the rugged work to complement Laurent Koscielny's anticipation skills and reading of the game.

Gibson fits the bill as a player who has developed steadily into a commanding Premier League defender. Arsenal already know how effective he can be, after Gibson helped Boro secure a 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium back in October.

Gibson's impressive performances recently resulted in a first call-up to the England squad, per BBC Sport. He's on the rise and also drawing interest from Everton, Liverpool and West Ham United, according to Collomosse.

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However, it's pointed out that Boro would want as much as £30 million for the player, who is the nephew of club owner Steve Gibson. Given the threat of relegation surrounding Middlesbrough, who are 19th, coupled with Arsenal's defensive woes, it'd be a price worth paying for the Gunners.

Hammers Want Lucas Perez

One Arsenal player who could be plying his trade for a Premier League rival next season is forward Lucas Perez. The Daily Mirror's John Cross reported how West Ham United are interested in the former Deportivo La Coruna attacker, who cost the Gunners £17.1 million last summer.

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Cross noted how the Hammers would be prepared to pay a similar fee for the striker, who is unhappy about his lack of game time at Arsenal. Recouping what they paid for Perez would rate as a minor coup for the Gunners, especially since Cross described how there have been concerns about his attitude during his brief spell in north London:

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Perez has not made a secret of his unhappiness around the training ground but it has also become a two-way street as there has been surprise that he got so angry and frustrated so quickly.

There is a feeling that he expected to walk into the team and did not think it would be such a tough fight which has also counted heavily against him with a growing frustration at his attitude.

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If Perez has fallen out with the Arsenal hierarchy, a move away probably represents the best-case scenario for both the club and the player. However, it's still possible the Gunners and Perez can salvage his career in north London.

It would be something worth doing considering the Spaniard's pace and technical qualities. Perez has shown flashes at times this season, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in all competitions, per WhoScored.com.

Perez has also shown the ability to dovetail well with Arsenal's other attackers. He has a good on-pitch rapport with target man Olivier Giroud, with the two combining for goals against Preston North End in the FA Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League.

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Perez has the versatility and talent to still be an asset for the Gunners. Given the uncertainty over the future of star striker Alexis Sanchez, whose contract expires in 2018, it would be a good idea to keep the Spaniard around a little longer.